Clasp for smocking cloth



(No Model.)

P. s. P-INKHAM.

CLASP FOR SMOGKING CLOTH.

N0. 520,704. Patented May 29, 1894.

W/TNEZSSES. f/vvs/vTax @zmmxwzm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

FREDERICK S. PINKHAM, OF EVERETT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

' TO ANDREW J. ROBINSON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

CLASP FOR SMOCKING CLOTH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 520,704, dated May 29, 1894.

Application filed July 21,1892. Serial No. 440,786. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK S. PINK- HAM, of Everett, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Clasps for Smocking Cloth, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters and figures on the drawings representing like parts. I

This invention has for its object to construct a clasp to be used in smocking cloth for casket linings and other purposes.

In accordance with this invention the clasp consists of a piece or strip of pliable wire, rectangular or other shapein cross section, bent at or about the middle to form a V- shaped central portion adapted to enter between the folded edges of the cloth to be smocked, and also bent near each end in opposite directions, said bent or overturned portions co-operating with the upper ends of the V-shaped portion to form hooks or clamps to nip the adjacent folded edges, and thereby permanently hold the cloth folded. The hooks or clamps upon the ends of; the V- shaped central portion, when secured to the cloth, may be separated from each other if desired for a short distance by widening or opening said V-shaped central portion.

Figure 1, shows an enlarged side view of aclasp embodying this invention; Fig. 2, a similar view showing the hooks or clamps at the ends, nipping the folded edges of the cloth, and Fig. 3, a cross section of a piece of cloth shown in Fig. 2, taken on the dotted line ocm.

The clasp consists of a piece of pliable wire of any suitable shape in cross section, bent at or about the middle at 2, to form a V-shaped central portion a, and also bent near each end as at 3, in the opposite direction so that the bent or overturned ends-b, b, when pressed toward the upper ends of the V-shaped central portions nip and thereby firmly hold the material which may be placed in the clamps thus formed. Two adjacent folded edgesof the cloth to be smocked are placed in the clamps thus formed upon the ends of the V- shaped portion a, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, said V-shaped portion entering between said folded edges, after which said clamps are compressed by any suitable implement or device thereby firmly nipping said. folded edges, and permanently holding the cloth folded. The folded edges may then be slightly separated if desired, the central V-shaped portion of the clasp gaping open or widening.

' The material of which the clasp is composed is sufficiently pliable to enable it to be easily bent, yet sufficiently stiif to retain whatever position it may be made to assume.

This form of clasp is easily made, and if not desired to separate the hooks or clamps, quite stiff material may be used, and instead of making the central connecting portion V- shaped it may be otherwise formed.

This form of claspis easily applied to the cloth, and as it effectually nips the folded edges, it permanently holds the cloth folded, and the V-shaped central portion, in addition to serving as a connection for the clamps, may when made of suitable material, be expanded, and when said clasps are applied to the back side of the cloth, they are concealed from the opposite or face side, being therefore especially adapted for the purposes described.

I claim- The clasp for smocking cloth herein described consisting of a pliable metallic strip having the V-shaped portion a, adapted to enter between two folded edges of the cloth, and having overturned ends I), b, which cooperate with the upper ends of said V-shaped portion to nip said folded edges, and thereby permanently hold the material folded, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

, FREDERICK S. PINKHAM.

Witnesses:

BERNIGE J. NOYEs, LUCY F. GRAvEs. 

